Bonito biz returns to Kesennuma

SENDAI – Kesennuma unloaded around 26 tons of “katsuo” (bonito) in its first catch of the season Monday in Miyagi Prefecture, bringing hustle and bustle back to a fishing port that was nearly wiped off the map by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Kesenuma has led Japan in katsuo catches for 17 years. The first catch came from the Hamaheimaru No. 8 out of Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture, which tied up at a quay severely damaged by the disasters.

As part of the city’s reconstruction, the quay walls and other ravaged coastal areas underwent a renovation that was completed just last month.

The katsuo were caught off Ibaraki Prefecture. The highest bid at the year’s first auction was ¥500 per kilogram.

“The price is quite good,” an industry representative said.

“We will work together and make all necessary preparations to welcome vessels engaged in katsuo fishing,” Kesennuma Mayor Shigeru Sugawara said at a ceremony on opening day.